Ohio Dems sue over congressional map

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Democrats have followed through on threats to sue over a last-minute legislative maneuver by Republicans intended to shield Ohio's new congressional map from a ballot challenge.

In a lawsuit filed with the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday, the Ohio Democratic Party asks justices to weigh in on whether lawmakers acted legally when they added an appropriation to the redistricting bill as it neared approval last week. Such a monetary component makes a bill immune from repeal under Ohio's Constitution.

However, the court ruled in 2009 that a group challenging then-Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's plan to legalize racetrack slots had a right to challenge the plan even though it was part of a state budget bill filled with such spending directives.